Ball projecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A ball projecting apparatus, particularly suited for &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;setting&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; a volleyball to assist a player to practice &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;spiking&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;, comprises a biased ball striker member; a control pin for releasably retaining the striker member in non-striking position. The apparatus is selectively conditionable for varying the trajectory of a projected ball. The varying of the trajectory may be accomplished by varying the force of impact of the striker member on the ball, or by varying the angle at which the striker member impacts the ball, or by both varying the force of impact and the impact angle. The apparatus has a ball supporting structure that is vertically adjustable. The ball supporting structure has pins that may be selectively positioned to support a ball. The pins terminate short of their oppositely extending pin counterparts to provide clearance for the striking lever. The lever is vertically adjustable with respect to the apparatus.

United States Patent 1 1 1 Winrow Apr. 16, 1974 BALL PROJECTING APPARATUS j 'img y Examinep Riq rd Ripkharn v H [76] Inventor: John c. Winrow, c/o ASI 3529245, W R-1 713 Division FAU Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Baldwm, Wight & Brown COMFAIRWESTPAC, FPO, Seattle, Wash. 98767 57 ABSTRACT Filedi p 28, 1971 A balrprojecting apparatus particularly suited for [21] APPL 138,102 setting a volleyball to assist a player to practice spiking, comprises a biased ball striker member; a control pin for releasably retaining the striker [52] US. C1 124/16, 124/41, 124/36, member in norkstriking position. The apparatus is 273/95 R selectively conditionable for varyingthe trajectory :iIBIidCLfNS. P41127290 of a projected ball. The y g of the trajectory 1 le 0 9 3972 7332 may be accomplished by varying the force of impact of the striker member on the ball, or by varying the angle at which the striker member impacts theball, [56] References cued or by both varying the force of impact and the impact UNITED STATES PATENTS angle. The apparatus has a ball support injgsti-ucture 2,080,958 5/1937 B68816) et al 124/7 that is vertically The 3,517,656 6/1970 Darrell 124/7 Structure has pins that maybe Selectively positioned FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS to support a ball. The pins terminate short of their 25,882 I 5/1931 Great 131118111 124/16 oppositely ext uqt pa I p v 373,709 -6/ 1932 Great Britain 124/16 clearance for the striking lever. Thelever is vertically adjustable with respect to the apparatus.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures MTENTEDAPR 16 1974 SHEET 1 0F 3 ATTORNEYS BALL PROJECTING APPARATUS This invention relates to ball projecting apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus may be used in practicing for the playing of games, especially volleyball.

In playing volleyball under game conditions, a player on one team may intercept the ball after it comes across the net and instead of hand-batting the ball directly back across the net, he may set the ball up closer to the net into a position such that a teammate may spike the ball, i.e., bat it sharply over the net in a path to prevent its being kept in play by the opposing team. Development of good spiking skill requires much practice. Frequently, a player desiring to practice spiking will have no one around to set the ball for spiking practice.

An object of the invention is to provide ball projecting apparatus which can be used by a lone player to provide various ball sets to enable that player to practice spiking.

Another object of the invention is to provide ball projecting apparatus of the general class referred to which includes means for varying the nature of the sets it provides, such as total length of the ball trajectory and the ratio of vertical to horizontal components of the set, i.e., relatively high or relatively flat trajectories.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus which is of inexpensive construction and which is so simple and easy to use that even a small child may operate it to project the ball.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a ball projecting apparatus embodying the invention as seen from the rear end, one side and the top, the end of the apparatus facing the direction of the horizontal component travel of the projected ball being considered the rear end;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus from the front end, the side opposite that viewed in FIG. I and the top;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the apparatus, a spring being omitted from this illustration;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing a striker lever as latched in non-striking position in full lines and showing the striker lever after completion of a striking movement in dotted lines;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view;

FIG. 6 is a rear end elevation with parts of the apparatus being omitted from the background;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4 with some parts omitted from the background; and

FIG. 8 is a front end elevational view.

In its over-all or general nature, the illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a frame F, a ball support means BS mounted for vertical adjustment on the frame for supporting a ball B as shown in FIG. 4, a striker lever SL pivoted at P on the frame F as shown in FIG. 4, to rock about a substantially horizontal axis, a tensile spring S interposed between the lever SL and the frame for loading the striker lever SL and biasing it to ball striking position, a control means comprising a latch L for retaining the striker lever SL in loaded or cocked position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and as shown in full lines in FIG. 4, and a handle H for operating the latch L.

In use, for example for setting a volleyball to a position for enabling a practicing player to perform a spike, the apparatus is positioned at a selected distance from the volleyball net (not shown) with the apparatus being generally parallel to the net, from front to rear, although in some instances at some angle to the net. The striker lever SL is cocked by being rocked against the urge of the spring S to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in full lines in FIG. 4, and is latched in that position by the latch L. A ball B is placed on the ball support BS. The latch L is then released by operation of the handle H to permit the spring S to rock the striker lever SL counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4 to cause the front end of the striker lever to impact the ball and project it to a position for a spike. As explained hereinafter, apparatus according to the invention is particularly characterized by provision for several adjustments of the parts which may be effected to vary or control the ball trajectory both as to the total path of the trajectory and also as to the curvature of the trajectory, e.g., the relation between the vertical and horizontal components of the trajectory. The manner in which these adjustments are effected will be set forth hereinafter in connection with a more detailed description of the construction.

The frame F may be constructed of any suitable material such as ordinary lumber with the parts being secured in assembled relation in any desired manner, for example with conventional screws, no special type fasteners being required. The frame comprises a base 1 including three transverse lower members 2, 3 and 4 and four laterally spaced longitudinal members 5, 6, 7 and 8 supported on the transverse members 2, 3 and 4. Intermediate the front and rear ends of the frame F is a post Pl supported on the base I and comprising an assembly of boards 9 and 10 resting respectively on the base members 6 and 7, and boards 11 and 12 resting on the transverse member 3 and extending alongside of and in contact with the boards 9 and 10. The boards 9, 10, 11 and 12 are surmounted by a cap piece 13.

The frame F also includes a second post P2 extending upwardly from the base adjacent the front of the frame. The post P2 is constructed similarly to the post P1 and includes two inner board members 14 and 15 which rest'on the longitudinal members 6 and 7 respectively, and two outer members 16 and 1-7 which rest on the base transverse member 4 and extend alongside of and in contact with the inner members 14 and 15.

' The posts P1 and P2 are connected at their upper ends by frame side panels 18 and 19 which brace the posts and provide a solid framework.

A wing 20 is joined to and extends laterally outwardly from the front end portion of the panel 18, and a wing 21 is joined to and extends laterally outwardly from the panel 19. The lower ends of the wings 20 and 21 abut the base transverse member 4.

The wings 20 and 21 serve to mount the ball support BS for vertical adjustment for a purpose later to be set forth. Each wing is provided with a guide strip 22 cooperable with the ball support BS as explained hereinafter.

The ball support BS comprises two fore-and-aft extending spaced side panel members 23 and 24 joined adjacent their front ends by transverse members, as shown pins 25. The inside of the ball support panel .23

is formed with a guide groove 26 which receives for relative sliding movement the vertical outer edge of the wing and the panel 24 is formed with a guide groove 27 which has sliding engagement with the outer edge of the wing 21. In order to provide a more stable mounting of the ball support BS on the frame, the ball support side panel 23 has an angle guide strip 28 adjacent the groove 26, and the side panel 24 has an angle guide strip 29 adacent the groove 27. Thus, the ball support can slide up and down on the frame guided by the grooves 26 and 27 receiving the edges of the wings 20 and 21, and further guided by the angle strips 28 and 29 contacting the guide strips 22 on the Wings 20 and 21.

In effecting one of the adjustments previously referred to generally and later to be described in particular, the ball support BS is positioned at a selected height on the frame F and is held in such position by means comprising a series of vertically spaced holes 30 in the edges of the wings 20 and 21, a hole 31 in each ball support side panel 23 and 24, and pins or pegs 32 which are extended through the holes 31 in the side panels into selected holes 30 in the wing side edges.

The ball support BS is provided with four ball holding pins 32, 33, 34 and for holding the ball in position to be struck by the lever SL. Two of these pins, 32 and 33, are mounted on the side panel 23 and extend toward the side panel 24, the other two pins 34 and 35 being mounted on the side panel 24 and extending toward the side panel 23. The pins 32 and 33 terminate short of their respective counterparts 34 and 35 so as to provide a clearance between the pin ends through which the impact'end of the striker lever SL may move to strike the ball.

The lever pivot P may be mounted at selected heights on the post Pl by inserting the pivot P in selected holes 36 in the post Pl at different elevations. Positioning the pivot P at arelatively high one of the holes 36 appliesrelatively high tensile loading on the spring S, and positioning the pivot P in a lower hole 36 reduces the tension loading on the spring S. In this way, the velocity of impacting of the lever 37 on the ball B may be varied, thus varying the projecting force. Additionally, varying the height of the pivot pin P brings about a change in the angle at which the ball will be struck by the broadened striking part 37 of the lever SL with a resultant change in the relation of the vertical and horizontal components of the ball trajectory. Thus, if the pivot pin P' is at a relatively low level, there will be a tendency to project the ball with more horizontal component than if the pin P is at a relatively high level.

The latch pin L extends horizontally and slidably through holes 38 in the parts 15 and 17 of the post P2. When the latch L is positioned inwardly with the striker lever SI. in its cocked position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in full lines in FIG. 4. the latch will extend transversely over the front arm of the lever SL and maintain it in non-striking, i.e., cocked, position. When the latch is withdrawn from above the front arm of the lever SL, the latter will be rocked by the spring S. Operation of the latch may easily be effected by the handle H which has a pivotal step mounting on a block 39 secured to the base 1. A looped strap 40 of nylon or other strong and wear resistant flexible material is secured to the wing 2l and loosely embraces the handle H for limiting the outward swinging movement of the latter and for thus preventing the latch L from being withdrawn completely from the holes 38 in the post parts 15 and 17.

The striking movement of the lever SL is limited by I engagement of a heel 41 on the rearward end of the lever with a cushion stop 42 on a cross panel 43 supported by the base 1. Conveniently, the cushion stop 42 may be formed of a folded strip of nylon or other suitable flexible wear resistant material.

OPERATION Apparatus according to the invention may be used for projecting balls or the like in playing or in practicing for various games. It is more particularly suitable for use in enabling one to practice volleyball playing,

as for example using the apparatus to set a volleyball in one trajectory or another to enable the user to practice spiking, that is striking the ball across the game net.

To review the operation briefly, the apparatus may be placed with its rear end facing generally toward a net (not shown) at a selected distance from and selected angularity to the net. The striker lever SL is cocked, that is rocked to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in full lines in FIG. 4, so as to load the spring S and position the striker part 37 below the ball support. The handle H is operated to push the latch pin L inwardly to overlie the front arm of the lever SL. The ball B is placed to rest on the ball support pins 32, 33, 34 and 35.

An assistant, even a child may qualify, will pull the handle H outwardly to disengage the latch L from the striker lever, thus permitting the spring S to rock the striker lever from the position shown in full lines in FIG. 4 to the position shown therein in dotted lines, This will cause the broadened front end 37 of the lever SL to pass upwardly through the clearance between the pins 32 and 33 and their counterpart pins 34 and 35 and strike the ball B and impel it to a required set," enabling the practicing player to spike.

As previously stated, the apparatus permits several adjustments for varying the set, i.e., the trajectory and the extent of flight. Adjusting the tension of the spring S by positioning the pivot pin P at a selected height naturally varies the force of impact of the lever SL on the ball. Thus, if the pivot pin P is at a relatively highelevation, the loading on the spring S will be relatively high as will be the force of impact. Moreover, with the pivot pin P at a relatively high elevation, the striking part 37 of the lever SL will tend to loft the ball more nearly vertically than when the pivot pin P is set'at a relatively lower level. Otherwise stated, when the pivot pin P is set at a high level, the ratio of the vertical component of the trajectory to the horizontal component of the trajectory will be relatively high, whereas when the pivot pin P is set at a lower level, the ratio of the vertical component of the trajectory to the horizontal component thereof will be somewhat lower.

A further adjustment of variation of the trajectory may be accomplished by adjusting the vertical position of the ball support BS on the frame F. This is accomplished by setting the pins 32 in selected pairs of holes 30 in the wings 20 and 21 at different elevations. With the ball support BS in a relatively low position on the frame F, the trajectory will have a relatively high ratio of vertical to horizontal component, whereas positioning the ball support at a higher elevation on the frame will cause the trajectory to have a lower ratio of vertical to horizontal component. More simply stated, with the ball support in a relatively low position, the ball will fly in a high trajectory, whereas with the ball support in a relatively high position the ball will fly in a more flat trajectory.

The construction illustrated and described embodies the invention in a preferred form, but it is intended that the disclosure be illustrative rather than definitive.

1 claim:

1. A ball projecting apparatus comprising a frame; ball supporting means on said frame for supporting a ball to be projected; a striker lever pivoted on said frame to rock about a substantially horizontal axis and having a striker part spaced below a ball on said supporting means when said lever is in non-striking position; a spring connected between said frame and said lever and biasing said lever to ball striking position; a latch pin engageable with said striker lever for holding said striker lever in non-striking position; means for releasing said latch pin to enable operation of said striker lever under its bias to strike a ball and impel it into a trajectory; means providing for relative vertical adjustment between the lever pivot and said frame whereby, according to said relative vertical adjustment, said striker part will strike a ball under selected spring biasing force when said lever is at different angles to the horizontal, and the relation of the vertical and horizontal components of the trajectory will be varied, said ball supporting means comprising two spaced members guided for vertical adjustment on said frame, and four pins two of which extend from one of said spaced members toward the other of said spaced members and the other two of which extend from the other of said spaced members to said one of said spaced members, all of said pins terminating-short of their oppositely extending pin counterparts to provide clearance through which said striker lever may move when said lever is striking; and pegs insertable into selected holes of a plurality of holes in said two spaced members and said frame respectively for holding said ball support in vertically adjusted position on said frame.

2. Ball projecting apparatus according to claim 1 in which said latch pin is mounted on said frame for horizontal movement to a latching position traversing and engaging said striker lever, and in which the means for releasing said latch pin comprises a vertically extending handle mounted at its lower end on said frame for rocking movement and being connected to said latch pin, and a looped strap secured to said frame and loosely embracing said handle for limiting the handle rocking movement and therebylimiting the unlatching moverne-nt of said latch pin to prevent displacement of said pin from its mounting on said frame. 

1. A ball projecting apparatus comprising a frame; ball supporting means on said frame for supportIng a ball to be projected; a striker lever pivoted on said frame to rock about a substantially horizontal axis and having a striker part spaced below a ball on said supporting means when said lever is in nonstriking position; a spring connected between said frame and said lever and biasing said lever to ball striking position; a latch pin engageable with said striker lever for holding said striker lever in non-striking position; means for releasing said latch pin to enable operation of said striker lever under its bias to strike a ball and impel it into a trajectory; means providing for relative vertical adjustment between the lever pivot and said frame whereby, according to said relative vertical adjustment, said striker part will strike a ball under selected spring biasing force when said lever is at different angles to the horizontal, and the relation of the vertical and horizontal components of the trajectory will be varied, said ball supporting means comprising two spaced members guided for vertical adjustment on said frame, and four pins two of which extend from one of said spaced members toward the other of said spaced members and the other two of which extend from the other of said spaced members to said one of said spaced members, all of said pins terminating short of their oppositely extending pin counterparts to provide clearance through which said striker lever may move when said lever is striking; and pegs insertable into selected holes of a plurality of holes in said two spaced members and said frame respectively for holding said ball support in vertically adjusted position on said frame.
 2. Ball projecting apparatus according to claim 1 in which said latch pin is mounted on said frame for horizontal movement to a latching position traversing and engaging said striker lever, and in which the means for releasing said latch pin comprises a vertically extending handle mounted at its lower end on said frame for rocking movement and being connected to said latch pin, and a looped strap secured to said frame and loosely embracing said handle for limiting the handle rocking movement and thereby limiting the unlatching movement of said latch pin to prevent displacement of said pin from its mounting on said frame. 